Temple Grandin Discusses Autism and Animal Communication
How have animal studies helped us understand autism, or how have studies of Autism helped us understand animals.
The life and contributions to understanding the world of autism coupled with the life of animals, has been remarkable. As a true champion of animals and people with autism, she has overcome the odds to become the foremost expert on the topic of our relationship with our non-human animal friends, “using the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior”. Leading the cause for the humane treatment of cattle in the food industry, Grandin will be the first to tell you that understanding these animals is equivalent to understanding life with autism; her brain works differently, …show more content…
Although the size of this part of the brain is equal in all humans, the frontal lobe of a person diagnosed with autism has been found to be underdeveloped, and very close to that of other non-human mammals with regards to the functions controlling emotions, social and daily life, and problem solving. According to Grandin, this would attribute to the similarities that are shared with animals’ simple emotions, and feelings that are direct and open. As with herself and others on the spectrum, they do not have mixed emotions, nor can they experience love-hate relationships. In Temple Grandin’s research and experiences, she has found this to be the same with animals. This is where she finds this direct connection, as she has said, “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have feelings of love and hate for the same person” (Grandin, Johnson 89). This observation is very useful in understanding the strong correlations between the thinking process of animals and those with autism. She claims that it is her autism that has helped her understand animals and their needs, likes, and
How have animal studies helped us understand autism, or how have studies of Autism helped us understand animals.
The life and contributions to understanding the world of autism coupled with the life of animals, has been remarkable. As a true champion of animals and people with autism, she has overcome the odds to become the foremost expert on the topic of our relationship with our non-human animal friends, “using the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior”. Leading the cause for the humane treatment of cattle in the food industry, Grandin will be the first to tell you that understanding these animals is equivalent to understanding life with autism; her brain works differently, …show more content…
Although the size of this part of the brain is equal in all humans, the frontal lobe of a person diagnosed with autism has been found to be underdeveloped, and very close to that of other non-human mammals with regards to the functions controlling emotions, social and daily life, and problem solving. According to Grandin, this would attribute to the similarities that are shared with animals’ simple emotions, and feelings that are direct and open. As with herself and others on the spectrum, they do not have mixed emotions, nor can they experience love-hate relationships. In Temple Grandin’s research and experiences, she has found this to be the same with animals. This is where she finds this direct connection, as she has said, “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have feelings of love and hate for the same person” (Grandin, Johnson 89). This observation is very useful in understanding the strong correlations between the thinking process of animals and those with autism. She claims that it is her autism that has helped her understand animals and their needs, likes, and